What Are Some Of The Types Of Engine Rebuilding

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Here’s What You Need To Know About Engine Overhauling

What Is an Engine Overhaul?

Many mechanics use the term “engine overhaul” loosely, so it can have different meanings. Some technicians use the term to describe a simple chassis-based rebuild. This means the engine requires a few parts replacements, such as a new cylinder liner or piston rings.

Other mechanics use the term to describe more extensive servicing. In this scenario, the technician needs to remove the entire engine from the chassis and take apart every removable part. Each part is cleaned or replaced with factory-grade replacements.

When a Rebuild Is Necessary

Some car enthusiasts, such as classic car owners, opt for an engine overhaul every few years to keep their older car performing like a newer model. Your car may also need an engine overhaul if you notice some of the classic symptoms of engine troubles. This includes:

  • Low oil pressure: damaged valves and broken piston rings may cause an oil leak. This reduces oil pressure, and the car may use oil more rapidly than usual.
  • Irregular engine noise: you may hear rattling sounds, which may indicate broken piston rings. You may also hear engine “chattering,” which may suggest a faulty valve train.
  • Bad spark plugs: if a spark plug inspection reveals discoloration, then the valve train or piston ring may require replacement.

Considering engine Overhauling?

There are different ways of overhauling an engine. Most workshops do what is called an in-chassis rebuild. This is where you don’t remove the engine from the car, you just pull what you need to do the job of it and do a minor overhaul – replace the cylinder liners, pistons (if they need it), piston rings, replace the big end and crankshaft bearings, lap the valves in and replace the valve stem seals, strip and check the oil pump, replace the gaskets and seals Just what is needed to be done to bring the engine back to factory specification and performance.

A major overhaul or out-of chassis rebuild is much more thorough. The engine is removed from the car (obviously) and totally stripped down – every nut and bolt are removed, cleaned, checked. Most moving parts are replaced with brand new factory stock parts – often the only original parts of an engine that has been MO’ed are the block casting, the head casting, the crankshaft, conrods, flywheel and camshaft. If any of those aren’t in serviceable condition they get switched out too. And the motor gets a fresh paint job. A MO is much more expensive, but it’s like you get a brand new engine back, while still usually costing less than actually buying a brand new engine.

In-chassis Rebuild:

The easiest way to rebuild and revive your engine’s performance is to conduct an in-chassis rebuild. This is basically done without removing the engine from the car. All the defected parts of the engine are pulled out for a minor overhaul. An In-chassis rebuilt may generally consist of replacing cylinder liners, piston rings, crankshaft bearings, valve stem seals, oil pump, and head gasket. Repairing or replacing these components of the engine might help in reviving the engine’s performance to a great extent.

Another sub-category of In-chassis rebuilt is ‘Major Overhauling’ also known as ‘top overhaul’. The major overhauling technique covers inspection and replacement of spark plugs, cylinder heads and vales. A top overhauls proceeds with a compression test. It is important to mention that piston rings are not generally replaced.

Out-of-chassis Rebuild:

The major concept of engine overhauling revolves around Out-of-chassis rebuild. The engine is detached from the car, unbolted totally and thoroughly cleaned and inspected. This overhauling technique involves replacing all the major components of engine with new factory stock components. Other parts such as block casting, head casting, crankshaft, conrods, flywheels and camshafts can also be repaired if they aren’t totally tattered. For a locally manufactured car, an Out-of-chassis rebuild might save you some extra bucks as compared to buying a completely new engine.

Engine overhauling becomes necessary if your engine starts to fail. Overhauling of engine may help in reviving the performance of the vehicle but it may cause some reliability issues in the long run. Sometimes, engine swapping can be a better option as compared to overhauling. In case, you are using an imported car and its engine is excessively worn out, engine swapping can be much more economical as compared to out-of-chassis rebuild.

Home Remodeling Trends

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Renovation Guide

Most of us think our homes could benefit from a renovation, either modest in scale or monumental. No matter the scope, success lies in smart planning. Our three-part renovation guide will arm you with all the information you need to master a successful renovation of any size.

PLANNING Consider how you live within your home. If you’re renovating for yourself rather than resale, think about how you use the different spaces before you talk to an architect or work on design

What time of the day do you use the different rooms?

Who uses them and who will use them in the next five years? What storage do you need? Do you have a budding cellist who needs space to practise and store their instrument? A husband who desires a quiet spot to sprawl his newspaper out on a Sunday afternoon? Do teenagers need a chill-out space to watch TV?

Is the bedroom primarily for sleeping, or is it your reading refuge?

Do you use the kitchen island solely to prepare food or do you jostle with children finishing their homework or guests chatting to you while you work? How do you want your home to flow – open plan or easy to close off? Indoor/outdoor flow or focused internally?

Creature comforts

Consideration of how you want to use different rooms will encourage you to think of the comforts of living, such as lighting, speakers and surround sound, and underfloor heating. From the outset, decide what you want in the way of heating, plumbing, drainage, lighting, insulation, HRV, double glazing, storage and so on. Then plan and budget.

A Beginner’s Guide to Home Remodeling Costs

The first house my wife and I owned was brand spanking new – right out of the box. We walked in to fresh paint, clean carpets, new appliances and a cute little covered porch right off the back door. Everything was so perfect. We had no home remodeling costs to speak of.

A few years and two kids later we decided it was time for some more space. So we moved into our second home for our expanding family.

This house was nice and definitely an upgrade when it came to space. But it was not new. It had issues.

The carpet was old. EVERYTHING in the kitchen was dated. The deck was falling apart. And there is no way I will ever forget the rust-toned, orange paint in the upstairs hall bathroom.

The To-Do List

In order tackle all the projects, we made a renovation to-do list. Needless to say it became quite long. In fact, even after a decade of living at the home, several of the projects, like finishing the basement, were not completed.

Best Home Renovation & Remodeling Books

Renovating your home can be a challenge but it certainly doesn’t have to be. With these books you’ll have a much easier time planning, scheduling, and executing a simple home remodel completely stress-free.

Renovation(4th Edition)

In this newest edition of Renovation you’ll learn from 100s of contractors and experts with years of experience in the field. This guide can prove useful for anyone whether they have prior building experience or not.

Doors, windows, roofing, skylights, and pretty much anything else you can think of are all covered in this book. Each chapter covers a different topic including materials and techniques for beginners.

What Your Contractor Can’t Tell You

It’s easy for a new homeowner to get taken for a ride when hiring for remodeling work. But you can learn a lot before you even start the process by reading What Your Contractor Can’t Tell You.

This lengthy book covers all the main concepts like design, planning, architecting, and budgeting. Many homeowners know about these concepts vaguely but do not have enough practical knowledge to put this to good use.

Home Remodeling Costs

Performing a whole-home renovation is by no means a small or inexpensive task. However, with a little planning and forethought, homeowners can ensure that this remodeling project stays as affordable as possible. With that in mind, below is a primer on the cost to completely renovate a house

What factors affect the cost to gut and remodel a house?

There are multiple factors that will impact how big you can expect the final bill for your remodel to be

Age

Generally speaking, renovating older homes costs more than newer ones. Older homes are more likely to have underlying problems that need to be dealt with during construction. The renovation work required to get older homes to meet current building codes may also be more extensive.

Size

Similarly, the more square footage a home has, the more expensive it will be to renovate. HomeAdvisor found that the average cost of renovating multiple rooms in a 1,000-square-foot house is $19,000. At the same time, the average cost to renovate a home with 4,000 square feet was $100,000.

Location

The cost of your remodel will also be affected by the cost of living in your area. HomeAdvisor states that remodeling and refurbishing a home is likely to cost $21,000 to $90,000. However, a similar project, would likely only run between $13,000 and $56,000. The base costs for materials like appliances and countertops, as well as the labor costs for a general contractor may also be more expensive depending on where you live.

Planning Guide: Home Additions

You can’t just tack on a new room to your existing house and call it an addition. Get tips for adding square footage to your home, from designing a new space to hiring the right contractors.

An addition isn’t the only answer when you want more space. Consider alternatives so you know if a major renovation is right for you.

Additions can be built in any direction and come in all shapes and sizes. Consider the project’s purpose and design a space that works for you

A successful addition looks like part of the original structure. Get expert tips for extending the roof and foundation, choosing finishes and integrating your home’s operational systems.

An addition is a major undertaking that involves tradespeople, specializing in everything from roofs to foundations. Create and manage a winning team to complete your project.

Roof Inspection Contractor Tips

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How can you tell when you need a new roof?

As a homeowner, you’re all too familiar with the different parts of your house that you need to maintain. If you neglect any one aspect of your home, it could mean detrimental damage to many other features of your house. It could also impact the curb appeal, which would lower the value of your home. Such is the case with waiting too long to get a new roof. If you feel like your roof might be nearing the end of its life, you need to consider replacing it soon.

Here’s how to tell if you need a new roof. Use these signs to consider whether your roof needs replacing.

Visible Streams of Light Through the Boards

Have you noticed a weird looking sun glare on your floor or wall that wasn’t there before? If you haven’t been able to identify where it’s coming from, you might want to make sure it isn’t coming from up above you. Take a look at the boards of your ceiling in your attic and see if you notice any streams of light shining through it. If so, that means your roof has been compromised. If the light is leaking through your roof, so is water when it rains. The only solution to this is reaching out to an asphalt roofs expert right away to install a new one.

Look at Your Documentation

Asphalt roofs can typically last you several decades barring an emergency, or around 20 to 25 years to be exact. It might be more or less depending on the year-round weather where you live. Now that you know that, it’s time to take a look at the documentation of your house to see how old your current roof is. If you were the first to ever occupy the house, it might be a bit easier to remember off the top of your head. Either way, if the timing is coming up quickly, you’ll want to reach out to a roofing specialist right away. That’s not to say you automatically need to replace it. Schedule an appointment for them to come out and do a checkup on its condition. They might tell you that you have a few more years in it before it needs replacing. Wouldn’t that be nice?

Stains or Cracks

Have you noticed markings on the inside of your ceiling? You might notice some dark stains, cracking, or morphing of your ceiling’s interior. If so, take it as a sign that there is either a leak or an immense amount of moisture that’s caused these markings to appear. The longer you hold off on getting that corrected, the more damage it will do to your home’s structure and the wider that it will spread.

Curved Shingles

If you’re not sure whether it’s time to reach out to a roofing service, take a climb up the ladder to inspect the roof for yourself. One of the most noticeable signs that you need to contact a professional is if you notice curved shingles. That shows that the material is starting to fade and that you need to replace it. If you neglect them, it will lead to water falling through and starting to find cracks to leak into.

Sagging Ceiling

If you have noticed that your roof is starting to sag, it’s a sign that your roof has a monumental leak on it. The leak has probably gotten so bad and has been adding to itself for so long that immense pressure is weighing down your roof. The humidity between the different layers will only worsen it. Not sure whether it’s moisture damage or something else? Take a broom to it. If it feels soft and mushy as you press on it, then it’s a sign of trapped moisture. You need to call an expert right away. Only they will know how to go about fixing your ceiling’s issues so that it doesn’t end with water all over your bedroom floor.

Green Marks on Your Roof

You need to take the time every so often to climb up on the top of your roof and inspect the quality of it. As previously mentioned, the condition of your roof’s shingles can be a telltale sign for a roof replacement. However, you’ll also want to make sure there isn’t any moss growing on top of it. If there is, it’s a sign there is moisture getting trapped somewhere within that vicinity. Brush away the moss with a brush that has a stiff profile but doesn’t brush hard enough to cause more damage to the roof itself. After you’ve brushed away the moss, take a closer look at the roof and inspect for any cracks or holes.

Your Tiles are Rotting

This is possibly the most obvious sign that it’s time for a new roof, even to the untrained eye. If you notice that your tiles have become rotten or are even missing tiles, it’s time to find an expert you can reach out to about a replacement. The rotting will only continue to grow worse, so be sure to get things in order right away so that you don’t have any (further) damage to your home.

Got Leaks?

The most obvious clue you might need a new roof is finding water inside your home. Regularly check your attic, especially after a rain storm or if you notice an ice dam along your eaves. Look for signs of water penetration because major leaks inside your home are most likely to start there. Keep in mind, though, that water can travel a fair distance – across beams and inside walls for example – from the point of infiltration to where it eventually shows itself.

Ice dams form when snow on the roof melts, runs down slope to the eaves and freezes. As more water runs down and encounters the ice dam, it may then run up and under the asphalt roofing shingles, potentially penetrating the roof deck.

As mentioned above, a total roof replacement may not be necessary to correct such a problem. Perhaps a few shingles have blown off or some flashing has torn loose, exposing the underlying roof deck to the elements.

Water Stains

On the ceiling or running down interior walls and water actually dripping into your home are all cause to investigate and discover the reason, which might be a leak or is often the result of condensation. It’s especially in the winter that warm, moist air rises and often condenses in the attic, where it can pool and leak through the ceiling. Most water leaks start smaller than the ones shown below. Check for the source of leaks at the first sign of water marks. While they’re not always caused by a roof problem, any leak is a concern that needs to be resolved as quickly as possible in order to minimize damage and expense.

Paint Damage

Paint peeling or blistering, swellings in woodwork or trim – indoors or out – can be caused by water pooling up underneath where it doesn’t belong. These types of blemish are much more than cosmetic; they indicate a serious leak that may or may not be caused by a faulty roof, although that is a prime suspect to investigate.

Mold

Mold or mildew growth on ceilings or walls could be a sign of a leaky roof, the result of condensation problems or even a simple plumbing issue. Check that your insulation is dry, your home has adequate ventilation, your bathroom fixtures and plumbing lines aren’t leaking or sweating. Such things may be less costly to correct than getting a roof replacement. Apart from creating ugly stains and indicating potential roof damage, mold and mildew can have an adverse effect on home air quality and your family’s health. Have the issue addressed as soon as possible.

Granule Loss

When clearing your eavestroughs of leaves in the fall, you may notice that some colored granules have accumulated in the gutters. Depending on the age of your roofing shingles and normal weathering processes, this is not unusual. An excessive amount of granules might be cause for concern. But what is considered “excessive”?

While there’s no way to definitively quantify how much granule loss is too much, the best indication is to look at the roofing shingles themselves. When asphalt shingles are manufactured, more granules are embedded in their surface than are actually necessary so it’s only natural that the superfluous, loose granules would wash away first. Even on brand-new shingles, you can make out the black asphalt the granules are embedded in. However, if the asphalt shingles on your roof have relatively large bare patches where the granules have eroded away and exposed the underlying black weathering asphalt to the elements, you will need to replace any damaged shingles. If the problem isn’t limited to just a few shingles, it may well be time for a roof replacement. A reputable contractor can help you decide.

Weighing The Pros And Cons Of Radiant Carpet Flooring Heating

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Is Commercial Carpet A Good Choice for Your Business?

Choosing the right commercial flooring can be a challenge, particularly when you have a long list of criteria you need your flooring choice to fill.

Fortunately, the last decade has seen a dramatic shift in the commercial flooring industry with new and innovative trends emerging that are changing the appearance and performance of commercial flooring. Carpet has remained popular over the years for commercial spaces because of it’s acoustic and foot traffic benefits. Businesses might also choose carpet because of style and appearance. Here we evaluate whether carpet is a good choice for commercial floors, including all the criteria you need to weigh up when choosing the ideal flooring for your commercial space.

Carpet Choices For Commercial Spaces

Commercial carpeting can come in many different styles and designs to match your commercial space and your needs. When it comes to carpet in commercial spaces

there are three ways to do it:

Broadloom carpet is also known as wall-to-wall carpet, and is the most traditional and well-known form of carpet in commercial spaces. This is where commercial carpet is fitted in a continuous form across the floor surface.

Modular carpet is also known as carpet tiles. Modular carpet is durable, easy to install, and easy to replace which makes it ideal for commercial spaces. Carpet tiles or smaller more manageable squares of carpet that are installed seamlessly side by side for a smooth carpet finish.

Area rugs are generally not as popular in commercial settings, although they are common in some business types like premium health care and hospitality. For the most part commercial area rugs are used as centerpieces and design tools in a commercial space, rather than a standalone form of flooring. However commercial area rugs can make an important addition to the ambience and style of a business and should be considered.

Evaluating Your Commercial Space

When deciding on the right carpet choice for your commercial space it’s important to look at the characteristics of the space you’re working with. Evaluating your commercial space is absolutely essential before deciding to install carpet flooring. This is because the function and characteristics of every commercial space is different. Just because carpet works well in one type of commercial space doesn’t mean it will perform as well in a different commercial space. Each commercial space needs to be assessed on its own merits before carpet is installed.

Carpet Tiles & Carpet Squares

Carpet tiles are a great DIY flooring option for your space. If you are looking to add a soft surface to add comfort your floors, Carpet Tile is a great option. Carpet tiles are cut into squares so they are great for odd shapes spaces, since you can easily cut and arrange the pieces. Carpet squares are much easier to install than traditional carpeting, and you can find different installation types like: Peel and Stick, Interlocking or Self Adhesive carpet tiles. If you go for an installation type that is not adhesive, be sure to pick up carpet tape so that you can install them yourself.

Installation:

Carpet squares are much easier to install than traditional carpeting, and you can find different installation types such as: Peel and Stick, Interlocking, Glue down, Adhesive Tabs, or Loose Lay carpet tiles. Self-adhesive carpet tiles are very easy to install, as all you have to do is peel off the adhesive backing and stick the Carpet Tile to the subfloor. Different types of carpet tile can be installed in your family room, bedroom, basement, play room, or outdoors. Outdoor carpet tile can be a great option for your patio or outdoor living room.

Style:

We have a variety of sizes and colors, so you’re sure to find a style that works with your home. Popular colors include light gray, yellow & gold, and blue. You can also find a variety of textures for your carpet, including loop pile, cut pile, or shag carpet tile. Carpet tile comes in a variety of thicknesses including thin, medium, and thick. Many carpet tiles come with padding attached, making the carpet feel more softer and plush under foot.

Cleaning & Care:

Carpet squares are constructed of a variety of synthetic materials like polypropylene or polyester and nylon offer great stain resistant and water resistant properties.Carpet tiles are easy to clean as well. Since many of the squares come with a peel and stick application, you can remove them easily from the subfloor. Once the square is removed, you can either clean or replace the carpet tile.

Carpet tiles are a great option for areas with heavy traffic because they are so easy to clean. Since many of our carpet squares come with a peel and stick application you can take them up for cleaning. The variety of synthetic materials like polypropylene or polyamid and nylon offer great stain resistant and bleach resistant properties.

Best Commercial Carpet

If you’re considering carpet for your new office space, it’s important to choose the right product for your application. According the Carpet Buyers Handbook, “synthetic fibers make up more than 99% of the fiber used by the U.S. carpet industry.” Most carpets used in commercial applications are usually Nylon, Olefin or Polypropylene and are constructed in loop, cut pile (both broadloom) or carpet tile. Each of these fibers has its own set of strengths and weaknesses that can be used to help determine which type of carpet fits your needs.

Things to think about when choosing commercial carpet:

What’s your budget?

When it comes to commercial carpet, pricing can run the gamut. Remember that unlike hard surface flooring, carpet will take a beating and will eventually show wear. It’s helpful to decide how long you want to keep the carpet too, and that may influence your cost decision. If you spend less, you may have to replace it sooner, and if you spend more to get a higher quality product, it will last longer. So it’s important to weigh the cost of replacement against spending a higher amount up front.

What kind of fiber is best for my installation?

Most commercial carpet is made of Nylon, Olefin or Polypropolene. Olefin/Polypropolene carpet is usually the carpet of choice if you are on strict budget. It stands up well to “moderate” amounts of traffic. Analyze how much foot traffic you will have to help determine the level of durability you will need. Olefin/Polypropolene carpets are “solution dyed” so they have very good stain resistance. These carpets also work well in low traffic areas or an office or space that you aren’t in for the long haul.

Nylon, on the other hand, is the highest quality fiber carpet for a commercial installation. It’s more expensive, but it’s also more durable so it will inherently look better longer. Like the Olefin/Polypropolene fiber carpet, Nylon products are solution dyed and offer the same level stain resistance. You will get more bang for your buck with Nylon if you have heavy foot trafficked areas, so spending a bit more may be to your benefit over the life of the carpet.

What kind of maintenance will I need?

Like any floor covering, carpet will need to be taken care of in order to last. Be sure you are familiar with your manufacturer warranties and suggested maintenance instructions in advance.

The Best Flooring For Kitchens

The Best Flooring for Kitchens

The kitchen is one of the most high-traffic areas of the home, with kids and pets tracking in dirt and cooking spills happening on occasion no matter how hard you might try to avoid it. You can experiment all you want with carpet in other rooms where the floor will take less of a beating, but kitchen flooring should be practical above all else.

Of course, that doesn’t mean you have to forego aesthetics. When looking for suitable flooring for what is arguably the busiest room in the house, we typically recommend materials based on qualities including longevity, durability, and resistance to scratches and the elements for years to come.

Trendy and Low-Maintenance

Vinyl flooring remains the most obvious choice for kitchens, and there are certainly plenty of designs on the market that look suitably hip while remaining strong enough to withstand water stains, spills, dirt, and grime.

Sleek and Traditional

If you have perused any home décor blogs recently, you might have been wondering why on earth so many families have chosen wood flooring for their kitchen. The reality is that they’ve most likely opted for wood-look tile flooring, a very trendy alternative to the timeless appearance of simple white or grey tile.

With a variety of textures, colors, and woodgrains to choose from, you can create the illusion of untainted hardwood in your kitchen and maintain a clean cooking and living space in your home for years to come.

Why Did Anyone Think Carpet in the Bathroom Was a Good Idea?

Look, you think a lot of crazy things when you’re a kid, and I now know that my love for carpet in the bathroom was categorically wrong. Having never lived in a home with carpet in the bathroom, I dismissed my mother’s concerns about mildew as those of a person not sufficiently committed to cutting-edge design. I now realize that carpet in the bathroom was just one of the many things about which my mother eventually turned out to be right.

These days, most people have come to their senses regarding the carpet in the bathroom situation. On a recent Reddit thread, one user asked: People of Reddit with carpet in their bathrooms, why? No one had anything good to say about this. There was one user who admitted that “It’s comfy,” but they still blamed their home’s previous owners for the wall-to-wall

But the question remains: why did anyone think this was a good idea to begin with? This Retro Renovation interview about the history of carpet, although it doesn’t specifically mention bathrooms, sheds a little light on the issue. Up until that point, wall-to-wall carpeting was an indulgence that was out of the reach of the average American family. Changes in carpet-making technology and post war prosperity led to a boom in its use, but carpet still retained those feelings of luxury and newness. What could be more luxurious than adding carpet to a humble space like the bathroom? And if you could, for a second, ignore the possibility of mold, doesn’t sinking your toes into a nice plush bathmat that covers your entire bathroom sound kind of nice?

Though they may be few and far between, carpet in the bathroom does have its modern-day adherents. When an Apartment Therapy poll asked readers to vote on carpet in the bathroom, most of you were overwhelmingly opposed, but about 8% (26 people, to be exact) were in favor.

While it seems everything ’70s is making a comeback these days, this is one trend I don’t see returning anytime soon. But hey, everyone has weird things that make them happy—you might be in the minority for loving your carpeted bathroom, but you are most certainly not alone.

What It Takes To Be A Professional Wedding Photographer

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BRIDAL DETAILS CHECKLIST

Weddings for over 4  years I have found that sometimes, brides tend to forget the same things over and over again. So why has it taken me four years to do this post? I have no clue!! I totally understand why these little things fall through the cracks! The bride has a million things running through her head and the last thing she’s going to remember is to grab ALL of the wedding bands so that the photographer can get a shot of them during the prep time.  I was a bride once and I remember how CRAZY that morning was!! This post is for brides AND photographer to use and share in preparation for the wedding day.

Now, I’m not making a checklist for the WHOLE day… this is just a checklist for the BRIDAL PREP TIME. I normally photograph the bride and the bridesmaids getting ready for about an hour and a half before the FIRST LOOK! This gives me time to shoot ALL of the bridal details WELL and still capture the girls getting ready together. After the details are done and we’re about 30 minutes away from the first look, I photograph the bride getting into her dress and the day begins!!  This bridal prep time is a GREAT time for me to get warmed up AND for the bridesmaids to get used to me being around. I know it’s VERY tempting for brides to cut this part short when they are only working with a certain number of hours but this time is VITAL. It’s important for ME to get warmed up, it’s important for the sake of your images and the story I’m telling through them and it’s NEVER a good idea to START rushed.  So an hour and a 1/2 minimum is what I suggest for bridal prep time!

DRESS (I also shoot any specialty hangers. HUGE TIP: Even if you don’t have a custom hanger, make sure you have a decent hanger for your beautiful gown. Your wedding dress deserves more than a plastic/metal hanger and believe me, having a classy wooden hanger makes a HUGE difference in your images. If you forget this, most hotels and venues have extra “nice” hangers in coat closets… I “borrow” them all the time!)

RINGS (All 3 of them! Many times, the best man has the bride’s band at the start of the wedding day. I love getting the ring shots with all of the other detail shots and so I try to have my brides keep all of the bling with her until the bridal party is together after the first look! THEN the ring shots are done and the bands can go back where they belong!)

SHOES (Some brides wear heals but only for a few portraits and then they switch into something more comfortable. I’ve even had some brides have me take pictures of beautiful, uncomfortable heels that they NEVER even wore on their wedding day but man, they looked good in the album! How funny is that! Whatever works! 🙂

Things You Should Know Before Booking A Wedding Photographer

The biggest day of your life is going to be very special. You can see the perfect day unfolding in your mind when suddenly the reality of organising the event lands. We can not all afford the luxury of a wedding planner so we are left to arrange the day ourselves, sometimes with the assistance of a difficult mother-in-law.

Decide how important your wedding photography is to you.

This may seem obvious but it is something many people do not consider. Some people are not interested in having good photographs of their day and will be happy with a few snaps from their guests iPhones. Take notice of other wedding photos, especially of friends and family, and you quickly start to get an idea of what you want for your own special day. In the end most people want great photos.

You get what you pay for with wedding photographers.

Sorry. You may not want to hear this but it is true. Hiring a student or friend with a ‘good camera’ will rarely result in a happy couple on the day the images are delivered. When people present me with their crappy wedding photos and ask me what I think, it is very difficult to find any words when you can already see the desperation and disappointment on their faces.

What should I expect to pay then?

With a wedding photographer you get what you pay for. A professional wedding photographer will not be charging under $1000, a good one will be charging closer to $2000. Photographers will often have different packages to suit your needs. All photographers should provide a set of digital images as standard. Prints, frames and albums can often be an additional, but worthwhile, cost. Good photography is not completed until it is printed. Expect the cost of a package to vary with which portion of the day you want them to shoot.

Find the style that you love.

Photography is an art. This means photographers have different styles. Do you want a modern documentary style of wedding photography or more traditional staged photographs? Some photographers will demand a significant portion of time from your day whilst other will let the day flow and capture the magical moments. Do your research and find the one that is right for you.

things your wedding photographer needs to know

You spend months pouring your heart and soul into your wedding planning so you want your wedding photographer to capture all the special details you’ve agonised over and all the people that came to celebrate with you.

I get together with my wedding couples for a cuppy and a cake and have a chat about all of these things before the big day. If your wedding photographer isn’t on the ball or perhaps these are things you wouldn’t have even considered, make sure your photographer knows where you stand.

Who are your wedding VIPs?

So your best friend that you’ve known since you were 3 is your bridesmaid and the best man bonded with the groom over a few beers down your local but what are their names? I’m not going to try to remember the names of everyone at your wedding (come on, even I’m not that good!) but having the names of your wedding party can really help your wedding photographer on the day.

Do you have any surprises planned at your wedding?

Are you planning to have an Auntie flying in all the way from surprise your wedding guests or a balloon full of confetti above the dance floor that’s going to explode at 8pm on the dot? You should be able to trust your wedding photographer so let them in on your secrets so they can be prepared and standing in the best possible place to capture all the action

Do any of your wedding guests have photosensitive epilepsy?

The last thing you want your wedding photographer to do is cause one of your loved ones to have a seizure. If you know that one of your guests has photosensitive epilepsy or another condition that can be triggered by flash photography you must tell your photographer.

Essential Wedding Photography Tips for Beginners

Photographing weddings is a hard task, and you only get one chance at it, so there is no room for mistakes. This is a special day for the couple, and your photos will be stored as memories for generations. So, more than perhaps any other genre of photography, it is crucial to prepare and practice ahead of time – the last thing you want to do is mess it up. Especially if you are just beginning to shoot weddings, it is important to research everything ahead of time and leave nothing to chance. In this article, I will give you a few crucial tips and pointers to get you started.

Meet the Couple

The first step before you start planning anything is to meet up with the couple and talk about their requirements for your wedding photography, including any special requests. This might sound simple, but it is one of the best ways to determine the type of images your client will like the most. No two couples will have the same requirements!

Write a List

With help from the couple, it is useful to write a list of the key wedding guests to photograph, including who needs to be in the group shots. Your clients will not be impressed to receive their photos and realize their parents aren’t in any of the pictures, or you left their grandparents out of the group shots.

Check out the Locations

I would highly recommend checking out the locations beforehand so you can choose the best spots to photograph. This also should help ease any tension before the day arrives. It is a good idea to take the couple to the locations to get their input. You should consider taking some test shots with different poses in various spots so you know what to do for the wedding itself.

Practice Before the Event

Practicing before the event is key for a successful shoot. If you go without any experience photographing people or weddings, you are setting yourself up for failure.

Wedding Photographer

A wedding photographer memorializes, what for many, is the happiest day of their lives. Capturing irreplaceable moments and translating them into pictures is both a learned skill and an art form. The responsibility inherent in producing photographs commemorating the once-in-a-lifetime experience is enormous. But then so are the rewards. To be sure, generations will treasure your art form.

What Is Wedding Photography?

A wedding is typically one of the most memorable days in a lifetime, one that people remember for years to come. For most couples, regular pictures just won’t do. Wedding photography is a big business and a very specialized type of photography.

Basically, wedding photography involves taking photographs of wedding ceremonies and participants. However, most professionals realize that there is much more to wedding photography than simply snapping a few pictures. Only the highest quality and most original photographs will do.

What Does a Wedding Photographer Do?

The first thing – and most important – thing that a wedding photographer does is meet with his clients. This is usually the bride and groom, or a representative of the family. During the initial meeting, the wedding photographer and clients will discuss the details of the wedding and what types of photographs the clients would prefer. Essentially, the photographer must get a feel for his client’s style.

Once these plans have been discussed, the wedding photographer will usually scout out the venue before the wedding. If possible, many photographers will usually visit the venue several days or weeks before the actual wedding date.

Great Ideas For Choosing The Right Type Of House Floor Plan For Home Renovation

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Hacks for Storing Items During a Renovation

A fast growing number of homeowners are considering renovating their homes instead of relocating. Remodeling a home is fun and exciting – because the remodeling process promises a new home and enables you to realize your dreams. However, renovating a home is a daunting procedure that might oblige you to camp out in a single spare room, such as a makeshift kitchen or bedroom.

Hire a Reliable Storage Firm

It is important to consider stashing your belongings in storage so as to accelerate your home renovation. Make sure to pick a company you can fully trust to provide the utmost security for your stuff

Designate an Empty Space for Storage

If there is a space in your home that you do not use often – such as a vacant corner of the basement or a guest room – it can make an excellent solution for storing items during the remodeling process. Keep in mind it will only be used temporarily until the remodeling project is done, so you don’t have to worry about giving up that space in your home forever. Designating an empty space for storage is the most cost-effective solution as far as remodeling a home is concerned.

Rent a Portable Container

A complete home remodel might call for renting a portable storage solution that allows you to get all your stuff out of the way while keeping it on site. Renting a portable storage container paves the way for easier remodeling, especially if the container in question can accommodate loads of boxes, furniture, as well as any other bulky stuff in your house. Portable storage containers provide a perfect way to store all your items in a safe or secure location until the remodel is complete.

Create an Inventory of Your Items

This might seem like an extra work, but creating a detailed inventory of your belongings can ensure all items are accounted for during the renovation process. Creating a detailed inventory can also prove useful when it comes to relocating your items to their new home.

Things To Know Before Starting A Home Renovation

Your Timeline Is Important.

One of the first things Travis did when putting together the renovation scope of work was to create a timeline. It’s a timeline that outlines what gets done when (his dad is a home builder so we had some confirmation) and the order of work. For example, rewiring the electrical should happen before plaster because they need to open walls to access certain areas, and painting should be done before flooring and scheduled towards the very end. If you plan on managing the project yourself, having the ordering and timing in place before you start will make it a lot easier to have flow and a checklist that isn’t overwhelming.

Whatever Your Budget Is, Double It (For The Most Part).

If you asked us what our budget was in April, it would have been half of what it is today. The budget isn’t always doubled, but with older homes you often find “surprises” when pulling back the layers. In our case, there have been a few necessary safety upgrades in electrical and plumbing which are the two most expensive categories in a home. As we got deeper into things, we also decided to update the bathtub, toilet, and opted for a nicer kitchen sink. Combine this with a few other factors, it’s good to always have some breathing room in the budget.

Having Word-Of-Mouth Referrals Is Important.

One of the key parts of this renovation was asking friends and neighbors for referrals. All of our subs have come recommended from someone we know personally. If you’re thinking of updating your house, I’d start by asking around for the best electrician or plumber, as they’ll be the first people you want to schedule

You Can Source Everything Online.

Thank the heavens for the internet. We bought our sink, our tub, the lighting, the drain, and every other piece you can imagine online. Yes, we went into a few stores to have an idea of what we wanted but let me tell you, the internet is king. Sites like Wayfair, Houzz, and Amazon have so much available online (and often at a better price!).

You Can Save A Ton Of Money By Doing What You Can On Your Own.

Our biggest save: doing the work ourselves. Travis has spearheaded this project like none other, spending weekends learning how to remove tile and plaster walls. If you have the time, I’d recommend doing as much of the less-technical work as possible. It’s a big money saver and allows you to allocate some of those savings to hiring professionals for the highly-skilled pieces (electrical, plumbing, tile, etc).

Best Renovation Websites For Living Out Your Dream Home Fantasies

viewer knows that renovating is far easier said than done. That doesn’t stop any of us from mentally making a few changes to our homes — whether we own them or not — even though we don’t intend to hire a contractor anytime soon. Or, perhaps a renovation is actually within reach, but you’re not pleased with the generic inspiration found at your local home superstore

Remodelista

Best for: Plotting your new, high-end dream home. Though the site has broadened its mission away from simply providing remodeling ideas (who would of thought?), you can still find great images waiting to be added to your “Dream Life” pinboard.

DIY Network

Best for: Finding practical advice and finding projects by budget. The network that brought you multiple Vanilla Ice-pegged reality shows has an exhaustive website that borders on overwhelming at times — but they know their stuff.

This Old House

Best for: Fantasizing about a simpler, self-reliant life in a meticulously restored Victorian that was once nearly uninhabitable. It’s specific, but you know what we mean. We imagine the editors finding their bliss at salvage yards, or trading recommendations about screwdrivers all while turning an old found door into a stately table. And we look up to them for that.

Remodelaholic

Best for: Seeing how a real family renovated (and continues to renovate) on a tight budget. While the blog can be a little wonky at times, the content is good.

When and Where to Buy Home Renovation Materials

I worked for a roofing company in college, and my boss liked to tell the story of a material mishap he suffered shortly after starting his business. He’d been working hard installing a new asphalt roof for a customer who was away on business. There he was putting down the final shingles when she pulled up to the house. “It looks nice,” she shouted from the driveway. “But it’s the wrong color.”

That lesson has stuck with me all these years, along with the implied importance of getting material orders right on a remodeling project. Recently, the Consumer Reports National Research Center surveyed general contractors about the mistakes that lead to the biggest delays and cost overruns on a project. On their list of culprits, materials arriving broken or different from what was ordered was second only to existing structural damage.

Settle on a Style

If you plan to buy your own home renovation materials, you really need to know your style. My wife and I spent hours on sites such as Houzz, Pinterest, and Remodelista, creating a digital ideabook of photos to help pinpoint our design preferences. Our tastes skew traditional, with a few modern flourishes here and there, so we fall in the so-called transitional camp of home design.

Rules to Showroom Success

You do get more handholding from the staff members at a dedicated kitchen and bath showroom, many of whom are certified designers. But as I learned, there are still steps you can take to make the process go smoothly.

Make an Appointment

You can usually walk into a showroom off the street, but you’ll save time by making an appointment. If you know people who have worked with the showroom in the past, find out who the best designer on staff is and set up your meeting with him or her. 

Don’t Rush the Process

If it’s a major project—a full kitchen or master bathroom remodel, for example—plan to spend several hours in the showroom. There are hundreds, if not thousands of products to sort through, and you need them to coordinate. That takes time and patience—and probably even a follow-up visit.

Bring Your Ideabook and Floor Plans

The inspirational photos will help the designer home in on your style more quickly. The floor plans will provide all of the necessary specifications. That is especially important with bathroom projects, because tubs, vanities, and sinks come in a wide range of sizes.

Know Where to Save and Where to Splurge

Set your priorities going in. For example, tile can get crazy expensive, but we knew that a simple 4-inch subway tile in a white gloss finish would create the classic look we want for the bathrooms. That gave us more spending power on the master bathroom vanity, a nice double-bowl unit from La Cava with basins made of porcelain, a material that performs well in CR’s bathroom sink ratings. Instead of the stainless steel console, we opted for a white custom vanity to provide more storage in the bathroom. 

Think About Secondhand

If you’re up for the hunt, there are some seriously first-rate products on the secondhand market. We visited Green Demolitions. where a 43,000-square-foot showroom is filled with luxury products salvaged from high-end homes. Go to for the latest finds (wares can be shipped anywhere in the country) or try your luck at the local salvage shop in your area.

Home renovations that are worth the cost

Homeowners often spend a lot of money on renovations expecting to recoup more than they likely will. But some projects offer better returns than others.

“It is important to make investments that will be the best use of your money,” said. “We don’t want to put in custom details that are only for your specific use. Think about things that will be valued by a range of people.

With a full kitchen renovation, homeowners can recoup about 59% of the cost, and a new master suite will typically return 50%, according to a study from the the National Association of Realtors and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry. But the highest returns come from less flashy projects.

Installing hardwood flooring, for instance, will get you back even more money than you put into it, returning about 106% of your cost. Replacing the HVAC — or heating and cooling system — will recover 85% of its cost, while an insulation upgrade will recoup 84%.

Highland has a five-bedroom, two-story, brick Colonial on the market that, having been “lived in hard” by a family for 21 years, would list around $250,000. The owner was willing to do $50,000 in renovations, including a new kitchen, updated bathrooms and new flooring throughout. After the renovations were done, the home was listed at $415,000 and is now in contract.

Payroll Service Penalties

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How do you avoid payroll errors?

Managing payroll can be one of the most time consuming and error-prone challenges facing business owners today. With labor regulations and litigations on the rise, payroll errors can also be costly to the business.

So, what can businesses do to avoid making mistakes on their payroll?

Ensure correct employee data

Payroll mistakes are just that — mistakes. And sometimes they occur because of incorrect employee onboarding information.

This is an easy fix. Create verification processes for both employees and managers to confirm that new staff have correctly entered their name, social security number, bank account deposit number, deductions for benefits), and have accurately filled out their information on their tax forms.

If you have the budget, an employee self-onboarding software can help your new employee complete paperwork electronically before the start date. And thanks to e-signatures, you’re able to ensure the employee has verified the information.

One reminder: Your employees might have life changes during their tenure, so have a process for staff to update their information. Things like changes in an employee’s address, marital status, or tax deductions can all impact payroll so build this into your plan.

Work with a compliance-first mindset

It’s late at night and you’ve had a long week. You just ran payroll and you’re struggling to reconcile taxes, employment regulations, and new requirements. How much advance notice were you supposed to give your employees of scheduling changes again?

Sound familiar?

Staying on top of all the laws can be tough, but it’s critical to eliminate unnecessary payroll mistakes.

Before a new team member starts their first shift, provide an estimate of where, when, and how often they’ll work. When schedules need to change, use compliance tools that automatically record schedule amendments, calculate the required predictability pay, and capture employee consent to the change.

Additionally, don’t forget to check with outside council if you have any questions about the complexities of your local, state, and federal mandates.

Eliminate human error

Common payroll mistakes are just human errors that any business owner can. Maybe you give an employee a bonus gift card and forget to record it on payroll. That well-intentioned award can actually negatively impact your employee if not listed in their pay. Manually processing payroll isn’t just time-consuming.

Think about all those hours spent pulling information from various sources, like your spreadsheets, timesheets, and banking information. Manual payroll can lead to miscalculations, oversights, and even missing key data. Plus, that makes record keeping and organization even harder.

Instead, use your favorite popular payroll software and integrate it into your time tracking software. With just a few clicks, you can run an accurate payroll. As an added bonus, these tools significantly reduce the time spent on managing employee schedules, timesheets, and payroll from hours to minutes per month.

Empower your employees

Preventing payroll mistakes (and potential future litigations) can be as simple as giving your employees the tools and processes needed to communicate with you and your managers about any payroll inaccuracies.

If your employees catch payroll discrepancies, have a formal process in place so they can report these issues and more importantly, you can quickly resolve the discrepancy before they become bigger problems. Use an easy communication tool or payroll discrepancy form where they can notify you or your managers on any timesheet or payroll errors.

Time and attendance tools can also allow your employees to review and verify their hours worked when they clock in and out which provides a layer of attestation protection for the business.

Increase security

As a manager, you’re looking for ways to keep both your staff and your business safe. And security is a big issue when it comes to payroll. Manually payroll leaves your business vulnerable to payroll fraud, like identity theft and misappropriation of funds. Fraudsters from an outside source can also steal employee tax and salary data if the business doesn’t have proper safeguards in place.

Using cloud-based solutions for time tracking integrated with payroll services can mitigate security risks, as these providers have advanced security measures in places such as two-factor authentication, data encryption, and security certifications to ensure your data is properly stored and protected. Additionally, most payroll providers have built-in security features that can alert your business of payroll fraud.

Not Checking Timecards for Mistakes

When employers are in a hurry to process payroll, they might neglect to do one very important thing before running the numbers: check timecards for mistakes. Incorrect timesheets is a very common payroll error and an easy one to avoid. Overpaying employees can, of course, be costly but underpaying employees can be too. According to the DOL, it is the employer’s responsibility to pay employees accurately.

Not Paying Employees for All the Time They Work

Some employers don’t realize that travel time and waiting time are compensable. This can turn into a big problem if employees do this frequently. Compensable means that it must be paid. Even though employees may not be doing their normal job during these times, they are “suffered to work” by their employers and must be paid for the time. Employers can pay employees minimum wage during this type of work time.

Missing deadlines

It is important to mark your payroll calendar and report and deposit and payroll taxes to federal and state agencies on time. Late deposits can result in hefty penalties and interest charges.

How to Fix It: Automating your payroll allows you to never miss a payday and lets you set pau schedules ahead of time so your payroll taxes are always on time so you avoid late payment penalties that add to big bucks and strain your already heavy workload.

Miscalculating overtime pay

Specific guidelines must be followed when determining overtime pay and miscalculations can be costly. Employee litigation has been a rising trend in recent years where workers have claimed to be misclassified and treated as “exempt” employees and therefore not entitled to overtime.

How to Fix It: When tracking work hours through our time and attendance platform all hours (including overtime) are recorded and collected on organized timesheets that make calculating hours simple. Our integrated, All-in-One platform unifies time tracking and payroll so everything is connected and nothing is ever missed.

Poor record keeping & data entry

Mismatched names and social security numbers are so common that the Social Security Administration set up a special telephone # to verify them. Every year, sloppy record-keeping and data entry mistakes, cost companies millions of dollars in both overpayments and government penalties.

How to Fix It: The Fingercheck self-onboarding features let new hires enter their personal information, so you don’t have any data entry whatsoever). This ensures employee data to be accurate. you simply enter all important records and data such as SSN# one time and save them securely on the cloud for easy, anytime access. Furthermore, our software is integrated with our Time & Attendance platform for all work hour records that are neatly organized and always accurate. Now that’s an All-in-One solution!

How Much Do Payroll Errors Cost A Small Business

Entrepreneur.com reports that payroll mistakes can cost approximately $4 to $9 each pay period. This does not include the amount of money that you may be overpaying your employees. Let’s say that you have an employee that make $15/hr and this employee is somehow gaining an additional hour of pay each week. With 52 weeks in a year, this increases that one employee’s salary by $780 per year. Keep in mind that this is only for one employee… this could be happening for all of your employees. You are basically giving away this money for free.

Then you have the trickle down effect. Your small business plans, schedules, purchases, hires, and has other investments that are set to a specific budget. If you are dipping into your payroll budget then guess what, you start to dip into other budgets as well. Everything will have to decrease in order for you to makeup for the payroll errors that are taking place. This could have been going on for years and you just don’t know it yet.

When To Hire A Family Law Attorney

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What is an example of family law?

What is Family Law?

Family law consists of a body of statutes and case precedents that govern the legal responsibilities between individuals who share a domestic connection. These cases usually involve parties who are related by blood or marriage, but family law can affect those in more distant or casual relationships as well. Due to the emotionally-charged nature of most family law cases, litigants are strongly advised to retain legal counsel.

The vast majority of family law proceedings come about as a result of the termination of a marriage or romantic relationship. Family law attorneys help their clients file for separation or divorce, alimony, and child custody, visitation, and support. Spouses married a short time may seek an annulment, and special rights may exist between same-sex couples. The division of property at the end of a marriage is also a common issue in family law cases.

With respect to property division at the time of divorce, every state has a comprehensive set of laws in place to determine the rights of the parties. However, couples who do not agree with the default rules in their state can “opt-out” by hiring a lawyer to draft a prenuptial agreement. Absent fraud or duress, courts will enforce these premarital agreements upon divorce, and distribute property and financial support accordingly.

Family law also involves the prevention of physical and emotional abuse. The potential for domestic abuse is not limited to relationships between current or former spouses and their children. Judges will not hesitate to assert jurisdiction to protect an elderly family member, someone in a dating relationship, or even a roommate. When allegations of abuse are made, the court will typically issue a restraining order to prevent further contact.

In a contested family law case, most people understand that hiring a skilled attorney will provide an advantage. An attorney can find assets or income the other party is trying to hide, present arguments regarding child support and visitation, and even take the case to trial if settlement talks fail. Attorney representation is just as crucial in uncontested cases, however. Without it, a party is vulnerable and can unknowingly waive important legal rights.

Family Cases

Family cases are a type of civil case, but they generally involve issues between or concerning spouses, parents, and children.

Family courts handle a wide variety of cases involving domestic matters. The most common issues handled at family court include:

  • Marriage Dissolution. When someone wants to end a marriage, they can file a case at family court to ask for a court order ending the marriage. Marriages can be terminated through divorce or annulment cases. The court can also grant a separation, where the court issues orders regarding property, alimony, and child custody, but the parties remain legally married. You can find more information on the Divorce, Annulment, or Separation sections of this site.
  • Paternity and Child Custody. When a man needs to be declared the father of a child, either parent can file a case asking the family court to determine paternity. This permanently establishes the father of the child. Unmarried parents can also ask the court to order legal custody, physical custody, visitation schedules, and child support. You can find more information about these types of cases on the Custody, Paternity, & Child Support section of this website.
  • Protection Orders Against Domestic Violence. Victims of domestic violence can ask the family court to issue protection orders to keep their abuser away. Please visit the DV Protection Orders for more information.

Legal consequences of marriage

Two persons might produce the economic incidents of marriage by executing appropriate contracts or settlements. In some legal systems, a contract in conventional form is the core of the constitution of marriage. The contract may be complex, with a variety of clauses, as in Islamic law. In most countries today, however, the legal documentation of a marriage is mainly a registration of the event. Basically, then, marriage in the legal sense is the implied creation of certain rights or obligations such as maintenance, marital property and succession rights, and the custody of minor children.

In modern systems, the parties to a marriage can usually create the economic incidents of the marriage by a separate agreement. In some early legal systems and in present systems in which customary family law pertains, there is little choice as to the economic incidents of marriage because these are fixed by custom. In legal systems that allow substantial scope for personal independence, the spouses can take up a position of their own as to the economic basis of their family group by means of a marriage contract or a will.

Distribution of Marital Property

A primary sticking point in many divorces is the distribution of marital property. When the parties cannot agree as to who takes what, and how to divide up the bank accounts and debts, the task is left to the judge. The court’s goal in dividing marital assets is equitable distribution. This is not necessarily an even or equal distribution, but what is considered “fair,” in light of certain facts of the marriage and divorce. In a “fault” divorce, the innocent spouse may be awarded a larger share of assets. In a no-fault divorce, the court may allocate property based on which spouse is more financially sound.

Spousal Support

At some point in a divorce, the court is usually asked to make an order for alimony, also known as “spousal support.” Spousal support is intended to give the receiving spouse an opportunity to gain employment necessary to become self-supporting. It may also be ordered to enable the receiving spouse to maintain the same standard of living he or she was accustomed to before the relationship ended. Not all states award spousal support, but in those that do, the court often considers such issues as the length of the marriage, the reason for the divorce, and the financial state of each spouse, in determining the amount.

Adoption

The ordinary legal principle is that the consent of a natural parent (or guardian) is required for an adoption order by a court. This consent may be dispensed with if the natural parent or guardian cannot be found or has proved to be uninterested or cruel.

Adoption in the older legal systems (as in Roman law) was treated mainly in terms of the law of inheritance and succession. It provided a way of introducing an outsider into a family group and so bringing him within the scope of the succession rules. In modern systems, succession rights and other obligations and rights in cases of adoption are usually treated by analogy with those of unadopted children, and in some systems there is an explicit equation with such children.

Plan For A Successful Local Moving

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MOVING MADE EASY

Moving can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether you’re moving across town or across the state offer all of the moving services you need to make your next move as stress-free as possible.

From moving your heaviest objects, to carefully packing up your most delicate of treasures, do it all, With more than 20 years of experience, and literally thousands of moves under belts, got what it takes to make a commercial or residential move simple.

not only offer moving services, but also offer temporary storage solutions as well. At warehouse, you can store your belongings overnight, or utilize them as a self-storage site.

Services Include

Residential moves

Commercial moves

Local/statewide moving

Full or partial packing

In-house or in-building

Loading/unloading

Office & commercial

Pianos, Gun safes, hot tubs, pool tables

Swing Sets

Overnight storage

Warehouse storage and self-storage (with even more coming soon!)

MOVING SERVICES

LOCAL MOVING

From the suburbs to the Old City, Cheap Movers helps you find local moving help

CROSS COUNTRY MOVES

Find reliable state-to-state moving services licensed for interstate moves.

SAFE STORAGE

Find secure storage facilities for storing your household or office items.

MOVERS & PACKERS

Trust our movers’ expertise when it comes to packing or unpacking your prized possessions.

RESIDENTIAL MOVING

Hire a moving company who specializes in household relocations and set your mind at ease.

COMMERCIAL MOVING

Knowledgeable movers can have your business packed up and ready in no time.

When moving, it pays to shop around for moving services. Not only do you want to find a mover with the right credentials (licensing & insurance are a must!), but you want to find one who offers the services you need at affordable rates.

Moving And Junk Removal

Moving What You Want, Removing What You Don’t

Is the hassle of moving weighing you down? Let friendly take care of the heavy lifting for you. proud to offer stress-free moving and junk removal services that will give you peace of mind.

hard-working have the lowest damage claim rate in the business and can take care of the entire process for you, from packing to unpacking. expert service is specially designed to make your move a fun, pleasant experience.

Feeding Children Everywhere

For every moving or junk removal service complete, we’ll provide a hungry child with 2 nutritious meals.

Sit Back And Relax

With more than a decade in the moving and junk removal business, understand that the moving process can be overwhelming and stressful. strive to ensure the safe, clean, and organized transportation of your belongings. Whether recycling your unwanted items or safely packing and moving your valuables, provide a completely stress-free experience.

Trust And Care

understand how important your valuables are to you and here to put your mind at ease. Whether you want us to handle some items a specific way or help you in the packing process, you can count on us to go the extra mile for you. strive to always provide a stress-free service. keep your peace of mind our top priority at all times.

Moving Cost Calculator

How much do movers cost?

On average, hiring professional movers for a local move will cost from $300 to $1,500 depending on the size of the move. Long distance movers will cost on average $2,400 – $5,000 depending on the size of the move and the distance. Cross-country moving costs will be significantly more than moving to a nearby state.

Estimating the cost of a move is tricky. We know, we’ve spent years developing cost predictor algorithms and moving cost checklists to try and answer these questions. In the table below you’ll find basic ballpark ranges for move pricing. Use the cost calculator above for a more specific breakdown on moving costs.

If you also have vehicles to ship you’ll want to factor car shipping costs into your overall moving budget. Shipping a car 200-300 miles will cost anywhere from $150 to $600 while shipping cross country will cost between $1,100 to $1,900 depending on the distance and type of vehicle

What is the average cost to hire a moving company?

For in town moves, local moving companies charge by the hour with rates ranging from $50 to $200 per hour. The hourly moving rate is based on the number of guys needed to complete the job.

A studio or small one-bedroom apartment typically requires 2 workers and takes 2-3 hours to complete with an approximate final cost of $150 to $400. A larger 2-3 bedroom home may take 6-10 hours, require 3-5 workers, and cost $600 to $2,000 total.

Long distance moving companies charge by the total weight (per pound) or volume of your household goods. The cost of moving a house can range from $600 up to tens of thousands depending on the size and distance of the move.

List of Things to Buy When Moving Into an Apartment

What you need to buy when moving into a new apartment

On moving day, you’re going to walk into an empty apartment and make it home. Many items come together to take the space from bare bones to livable. Having things like appliances, furniture and furnishings will create a space that is both functional and comfortable. Whether you’re wondering what things you need for your first apartment or just want an apartment moving checklist to ensure nothing is forgotten, the list below will help.

Moving into a new apartment checklist

If you’re moving into your first apartment, use this checklist to make sure you’ve acquired everything necessary. Or if you’re downsizing or simply relocating to a new space, consider this a useful refresher of all the things you need.

Bed and bedding

Items like a mattress and a box spring, pillows and bedding should be one of the first things you purchase (if you don’t have them already). You’ll want a place to rest right off the bat.

Sofa

Whether it’s for hosting a game night with friends or just having a place to binge watch Netflix, a sofa is a must-have.

Small kitchen table, chairs

Every apartment has a different layout with different space available. But one thing is for certain — you’ll need a place to eat. If you have room, a small table and chairs makes meal time more enjoyable and can also provide seating for guests or for working at home. If you have a bar, some bar stools might be all you need.

Does A Residential Painting Really Have To Look At Your Home To Give You An Estimate

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Things Your House Painter Wishes You Knew

House painters are responsible for changing or reapplying the color of the interior or exterior of your home, but it isn’t their job to maintain it!

You as the homeowner not only have the responsibility of caring for your walls throughout the life of the paint job, but also making sure your home is fully prepared for the paint job itself.

Check out these tips, and find out some things house painters wish you knew about painting projects:

Preparing for a paint job will take time

If you hire a professional Pennsylvania painting service, they’ll tell you that at least 1/3 of a good quality paint job should be dedicated to preparation. Proper preparation for a paint job will ensure that paint does not get anywhere it isn’t supposed to, and that edges and corners will be nice and smooth.

Do some preparation yourself

Making sure your home is paint-ready is important to a great paint job. Make sure the walls are clean, and don’t forget about corners or hard-to-reach spots. Remove switch plates and outlet covers as well.

It’s okay to ask for touch-ups

Your ideal Allentown, PA painter will encourage you to look over their work once they are finished and let them know of anything you aren’t 100% happy with. Satisfying customers is how they stay in business, after all! Your painter would rather address any issues you have while he is still at your home, rather than having to come back another time.

Let them know of competitive offers

Any painters in Allentown, PA you receive bids from want your business. If you’ve found one you really love but aren’t thrilled on the prices, call them and see if they will be willing to negotiate based on a lower bid you received from another painter.

Essential interior painting steps you won’t want your professional painter to skip

Interior painting is an absolute necessity when it comes to upgrading and revamping your home. If you are looking for a project that will easily elevate your space without breaking the bank, a new interior paint job is the way to go. You don’t have to commit to a full new interior to refresh your home; you can paint an accent wall or a ceiling to have a pleasing effect.

No matter what you’re having painted, there are certain essential interior painting steps you should make sure your professional painter follows in their painting process. If you are too busy and inexperienced to tackle an interior project the right way yourself (and who isn’t?), it is definitely in your best interest to call a professional painter to ensure that your project will be done the right way. A good professional painting company will ensure that all 5 essential interior painting steps in the painting process are done correctly every time.

Planning

The first essential interior painting step is the planning stage. Any interior project, large or small, is going to need some planning to ensure that the project is done correctly. You will need to discuss what areas you want to paint, the color palette of the room, what colors will work well in that space, and what preferences you have on the kind of paint used.

Protecting

Another essential interior painting step is taking care to protect the objects and belongings in your space. Most DIY painters will fail to do this correctly. Once planning is done and you know what you are going to have painted, it’s very important to ensure that everything in your space is properly protected.

Your painter will use large pieces of plastic to cover things to keep paint from splattering all over your floors, cabinets, furniture, and anything else you want to keep free of paint splatters, drops, or spills. Since your walls, trim, or other surfaces may require sanding, your professional painter may choose to remove everything from a room or area before beginning the job.

Prepping

Preparing your walls, ceilings, and other surfaces is the next step that your painting professional will take in the project. It’s an easy way, but one that you don’t want your painter to skip, to ensure that your new paint job lasts for years to come.

Part of preparing the room or area to be painted includes cleaning your walls before the project begins. Painting over grime and dirt will not do you any favors when it comes to the longevity of your project. Before painting, your home may need a few other things, such as sanding rough surfaces, caulking loose baseboards, or patching holes. Your professional painter will take care of these things so your walls are completely ready to paint.

 Priming

Priming is an essential interior painting step that many DIYers skip, but that professional painters do every time, for every surface. Priming a wall or ceiling is one of those steps that you definitely don’t want your professional painter to skip. Paint primer creates an even base that your paint adheres to for its best look and for longer wear. Primer also covers dark colors or uneven wall color, due to staining or other factors.

Painting

The final step in the painting process is the actual painting itself. Your professional painter will come to your home with all the supplies needed to protect, prepare, prime, and paint your interior (another benefit of hiring a professional painter, instead of trying it yourself). And there are quite a few supplies needed to successfully carry out even a small painting job.

Things To Expect From A Professional House Painter

  • Expert Color Advice

Most of us think we have great taste when it comes to home decor and choosing colors that coordinate; but in reality, most of us are wrong.  An experienced, professional house painter can help you choose colors that complement each other well and can show you how light and dark colors can change the way a room looks and feels.  In addition, a pro painter can tell you which colors are new and trendy, which is important if you’re thinking of putting your house on the market in the near future.

  • Proper Surface Preparation

No matter how expertly paint is applied to a surface, it won’t matter if the surface isn’t prepared ahead of time to receive the paint.  A professional house painter understands the process of preparing a home for painting and knows that the steps they have to take can include washing dirty walls, sanding surfaces, filling holes and cracks and applying primer.

  • Painting Skill and Expertise

Painting is like golf; everyone who sees it being done thinks it’s easy to do until they try it themselves. Painting the right way requires a great deal of skill that’s acquired through years of experience painting every kind of surface and using every kind of painting technique. A skilled painter knows which types of paints to use, how to properly mask unpainted areas, how to deal with lead paint, how to protect your furniture and flooring and much more.

  • The Best Equipment

Unlike most DIY painters, a professional painter will have all of the tools they need to do the job well without interruption.  He or she won’t have to leave the job site to run to the hardware store because of forgotten tarps or paint rollers.  In addition, they’ll have the highest-quality equipment on hand that they are experienced in using.

How to properly inspect an interior paint job:

• Turn on all the lights in the room. Ideally, you want to do your orientation on a sunny day or high overcast, but this is Vancouver and that is not always possible. If you don’t have the advantage of natural light, you just have to be that much more diligent in your inspection. I bring a light with me when I do my paint inspections.

• Start on one side and work your way around a room. Run you hand over walls and make sure they are smooth. Walls should be sanded between coats and they shouldn’t feel rough or have noticeable bits or lint in the paint.

• Check for major and minor marks on the walls. There shouldn’t be any holes, dents, paint drips, or marks on the walls. I always look for staple marks along the top one to two feet from the ceiling. This is where the drywaller stapled plastic to protect walls when the ceilings were textured and can often be missed by the painter when prepping the walls, since they are above eye level.

• Cut lines should be straight. Check along ceilings, around trim and especially anywhere there is a colour change. Those lines should be straight and smooth.

• Look for paint on the ceiling. I can’t tell you how much this bugs me. It is a mark of an amateur painter or a careless one. The same goes for plugs, light stitches, and baseboard heaters. These should all be paint free.

• Check window and door frames and trim. They should be caulked all the way around, including underneath the windowsill, and painted. Nail holes should be filled and sanded before they are painted. Door and window trim should be smooth. Window frames should also be paint free.

• Caulking should always be done before painting. I’ve seen paint jobs where a painter hid his wavy cut lines by caulking afterward. We were hired to repaint the house when all the caulking started to discolour.

• Check windows for paint drops and spittle on both the inside and outside of the glass. While you are standing at the window, this is a good time to check out some of the exterior painting. Make sure there are no paint drips on the roof and that the inside of fascia boards you can see from the window are painted.

Top Painter Skills

If you are interviewing for a job, make sure you can address these topics. There is a strong likelihood that one or all of these topics will be discussed. And, if you a looking for a career path, do a self-check to see if these skills are, or can be, among your strengths.

Communication Skills

To serve a client’s needs, you must understand what the client wants. Unfortunately, many people do not know how to explain what they want clearly, so you will have to be able to either draw out more exact instructions or use your judgment to fill in the details. Remember that good communication means hearing and respecting what the client wants, not what you think they should want. You can make suggestions, but the owner of the property always has the final say.

Aesthetic Sense

Most clients will need you to make at least some judgment calls in your work, and some will directly ask you for advice. You need a strong sense of what looks good. Think of the job site as a work of art.

Detail-Oriented

What makes a good, or even a great paint job is in the details, such as crisp, clean edges, even coats, and well-adhered layers. A small error can subtly but meaningfully alter the look of the room or building.